Salt water pool conversions have grown in popularity over the past few years. The ease of maintenance and money saved on buying chlorine have made it an attractive option to convert to.
Common Misconceptions: Having a saltwater pool does not mean that chlorine or other chemicals are eliminated. The job of the salt water system is to generate chlorine which is still needed to sanitize your pool. Another misconception is that swimmers will taste the strong ocean salt taste when swimming. this is also false. The salt is very mild and comparable to a tear drop from your eye. Salt water by itself does not sanitize your pool but the electrolysis created by forcing the salt water past a charged metal cell is what creates the chlorine and sanitizes your pool.
Benefits: Having a constant supply of chlorine generated from the salt means that the system controls your chlorine levels and makes pool maintainance that much easier.
Considerations: You will have to replace your stainless pool ladders to a 316 marine grade stainless steel, which are more corrosion resistant. Also, consider the shortened life of your pool heater (which rots out quickly without a titanium core), and pool pump which can seize quickly if your pump seal leaks.
Drawbacks: Salt water is very corrosive and if a leak in your pool occours the salt water can damage your pool walls and concrete rapidly. When winterizing your swiming pool the salt water gets pumped into sewers and rots them further. Salt pool water somtimes gets pumped over grass or over concrete which it can damage over extended periods of time. Salt water also shortens the life of your pool heater and any other metallic components. If you are looking for an alternative to a salt water pool that is more economical to purchase and cheaper to maintain while saving you 75% on chemicals then CLICK HERE!